PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — The Russian government has blacklisted Brigham Young University, adding the school to its list of “undesirable” organizations and labeling it as a threat to the country’s safety, laws, or operations.
According to a report published by The Moscow Times on June 3, both BYU and Germany’s Körber Foundation were officially added to the list, with their names appearing on the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Justice website on April 29. Neither the Prosecutor General’s Office nor the Justice Ministry has commented on the new entries.
BYU offers a Russian major. Their website states the program includes study abroad and international internship opportunities within the country. 2News has reached out to the university for comment on how their recent designation on Russia’s “undesirable” organizations list will affect these offerings moving forward.
Those who violate Russia’s “undesirable organizations” law can face up to four years in prison, while organization leaders may face up to six, The Moscow Times wrote.
Russia adopted the law in 2015. The Times reported that nearly 230 organizations are currently blacklisted.
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